Specification of Henri Schoofs : artificial teeth, gums, and palates.

  • Schoofs, Henri.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Henri Schoofs : artificial teeth, gums, and palates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    _Schoofs Improvements in Artificial Teeth, Gums, and Palates. roof of the jaw diminishes little by little till it is reduced to nothing, so that the tongue may not encounter any ridge or unevenness that may possibly be avoided. The “modus operandi” is the same for both jaws. When a com¬ plete set of teeth is made, and the upper is connected to the lower piece by the 5 springs generally used, which are very hurtful, as the mucous membranes are frequently caught in the spiral springs, and the mucous fills the interior thereof, I cover these springs with a light layer of gutta percha or caoutchouc, so as to close up all the interstices of the rings or spirals, and so exclude from their cavaties all matter whatsoever without diminishing their elasticity. To obtain 10 greater durability, I cover those parts replacing the natural gums, palate, or roof of the mouth, that is to say, the internal part of the piece or pieces, with a pellicle of gold, by the assistance of the plastic galvanic pile. This pellicle will not in any degree interfere with or lessen the softness or elasticity of the vegetable matter; or the surface above indicated may be covered with very 15 thin gold leaf. This preparation, having for base a substance the texture or nature of which is similar to that of the organs it covers, so closely adheres, or rather, is in such immediate juxtaposition thereto, that liquids or food, or particles thereof, rarely find their way between its roof and those portions of the mouth on or over which it is applied. It also prevents the admission 20 of air to the nerves of carious teeth, retarding the progress of that disease, and guaranteeing persons troubled with decayed teeth from the pains hitherto attendant thereon; and the absence of all portions of food or other matters has the like tendancy as regards the putrid and unhealthy exhalations arising from the latter named causes in the mouth when teeth, gums, or palates are placed 25 therein according to the systems hitherto in use; and having for base, metals and animal substances, which, being hard and inflexible, favour the progress of carious disease, injures the mucous, set on edge the teeth, and occasion hitherto sound teeth to become carious. Artificial apparatus made according to my Invention allow the most delicate 30 membranes (muqueuses) to support without pain or abrasions the strongest efforts of mastication, and the phlegmasy under which the membranes were suffering previously to the application of such apparatus soon disappears To place the “ piece ” or apparatus in the mouth, that part which is to adapt itself to the maxillary palate or roof is warmed, and being softened by the 35 heat it is adjusted in its proper place. The wearer should firmly close his or her teeth during a few, say, three or four, minutes, and the vegetable matter cooling, envelopes or fits so exactly the least natural ruggedness or irregularity, that the “ piece ” becomes, as it were, rivetted in its position; notwithstanding this, such is its elasticity that it may be removed with little effort.